Pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser

ABSTRACT

A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser, comprising a tank connected to a pressurized water source, a collapsible container in said tank containing a liquid other than water, a mixing chamber connected to said pressurized water source and said collapsible container, and a spray gun connected to said mixing chamber, whereby the water pressure in the tank expresses the liquid from the collapsible container and causes it to flow into the mixing chamber, where it is mixed with pressurized water and then dispensed through the spray gun.

' United States Patent 1191 Wagner PRESSURIZED LIQUID MIXER ANDDISPENSER Invent William wa nsnslqw tscp, ns-,1

1800 W. Fourth Ave., Miami Beach, Fla. 33010 Filed: May 11, 1972 Appl.No.2 252,262

[52] US. Cl 222/95,-222/389, 239/313 [51] Int. Cl B6 5d 35/28 [58] Fieldof Search ..-222/94, 95, 145,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1968 Gregory 222/9511/1952 Mills 239/313 X 8/1965 Hultgren 222/3s9x 1/1965 Lang ..239/323xDec. 25, 1973 3,225,759 12/1965 Draden etal. ..239/313x 3,204,661 9/1965Young 239/323 X Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves AssistantExaminer-Larry Martin Attorney-Samuel J. Stoll et a1.

1571 ABSTRACT A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser, comprising atank connected to a pressurized water source, a collapsible container insaid tank containing a liquid other than water, a mixing chamberconnected to said pressurized water source and said collapsiblecontainer, and a spray gun connected to said mixing chamber, whereby thewater pressure in the tank expresses the liquid from the collapsiblecontainer and causes it to flow into the mixing chamber, where it ismixed with pressurized water and then dispensed through the spray gun.

'3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PRESSURIZED LIQUID MIXER AND DISPENSERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Pressurized spraysystems for dispensing hair treating preparations, shampoos and otherliquids.

2. Description of the Prior Art The closest art known to applicantconsists of the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:

1 ,3 84,2 96 Baum gardncr 1,674,515 Johnson 1,731,767 Cramcr 2,865,541Hicks 2,847,249 Evans 3,018,970 Wittenhurg ct :11.

These patents teach the principle of using water pressure to drive aliquid out ofa closed container. The liquid is separated from thepressurized water by means of a flexible diaphragm, and the liquid isplaced under pressure on one side of the diaphragm when water pressureis applied to the opposite side thereof. The pressurized liquid isforced out of the container through a hose and then through a spray gunor other form of nozzle.

There is, however, no teaching of mixing the water with the liquid toproduce and dispense a pressurized mixture or solution combining bothliquids. There is no teaching of using the water pressure to combine thetwo liquids in any proportions. There is no teaching of combining themin selected proportions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is afront cross'sectional view of the pressurized liquid mixer and dispenserof the present invention, showing the tank, the container partially cutaway within the tank, and the mixing valving.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tank and containersealing arrangement at the upper neck of the tank.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the inventionshown in FIG. 2, with the relationship of the parts clearly shown.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF.

INVENTION The invention comprises the following major components: asource of water under pressure (not shown), a tank 10, a flexible,collapsible container 12 supported in said tank, a liquid mixing device14, a spray gun 16, and all necessary conduits and flow and pressureregulating means.

More specifically, the water pressure source may be any conventionalwater supply, for example, municipal water service which reachestheconsumer at pressures ries the pressurized water to the apparatusunder dis cussion. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, and byway of illustration, water line 18 is connected directly to mixingdevice 14 and a branch line 20 connects said water line to tank 10.Thus, water line 18 provides both the mixing device and the tank withwater under pressure.

A second line 22 is connected to closure cap 24 of said tank and anextension or dip tube 26 projects downwardly from said line 22 andclosure cap 24 into a collapsible container 12. This tube dips into theliquid 28 in said container and functions as its outlet. Liquid 28 is ashampoo or any other liquid which is to be combined with water toproduce a mixture, solution or suspension, depending upon the nature ofthe liquid.

A third line 30, preferably a flexible hose, interconnects mixing device14 with spray gun 16. This is the outlet line for said mixture, solutionor suspension which, for convenience, will herein be broadly designateda solution.

The flow of water or liquid 28 through the several lines above mentionedis regulated and controlled by conventional regulating or meteringmeans. Illustrative are the standard regulating valves shown in thedrawing. Thus regulating valve 32 regulates the flow and pressure of thepressurized water which passes through lines 18 and 2 0 into tank 10. Asecond regulating valve 34 regulates the flow and pressure of thepressurized water which enters mixing chamber 36 of mixing device 14. Athird regulating valve 38 regulates the flow and pressure of liquid 28as it also enters said mixing chamber 36. The final regulating means isspray gun 16 which regulates the outward flow and pressure of thesolution which is produced in mixing chamber 36. This is determined andcontrolled by the operator of the apparatus, who may at different times,under different conditions, and for different purposes wish to dispensea stronger or weaker spray.

The mechanical details of the invention are not important but may bementioned to complete the specification. Thus, closure cap 24 may beprovided with toggle latches 40 or any other quick-acting locking meansto hold it in closed, pressure-tight position on tank 10. Moreparticularly, in one form of the invention, collapsible container 12 isa plastic bagwith its open upper end 42 folded over the open upper neck44 of the tank. A gasket 46 on the closure, cap engages the folded endof the plastic bag when the toggle-latches are in closed position andthe plastic bag is thereby clamped in place and a pressure-tight seal isprovided between the closure cap and the bag, and betweenthe bag and thetank. When water under pressure is introduced into the tank throughlines 18 and 20, it isprevented, by said clamping action, from enteringthe plastic bag. At the same time, the pressurized water appliespressure to the outer surface of the bag, sufficient to express itsvliquid contents through dip tube 26-and into mixing chamber 36. Therethe pressurized liquid mixes with the pressur ized water which entersthe mixing chamber through water line 18. Valves 38 and 34 determine theproportions of the combination.

Plastic bag 12 is easily refilled or removed and replaced, as desired.In either case, valves 32, 34 and 38 are closed and latches 40 andclosure cap 24 are opened. Also, a drain valve 48 at the bottom of thetank is opened and its water contents are drained through drain pipe ortube 50. It is not possible to refill the plastic bag, and to facilitatethe refilling operation aretaining ring 52 is placed around the foldedend of the bag to support it from the neck of the tank while therefilling operation proceeds. Alternatively, the bag may be removed andreplaced with a prefilled bag or with an empty bag requiring filling.

After the plastic bag is filled, drain valve 48 is closed, and theclosure cap is clamped to the tank in pressuresealing relationshiptherewith. All three valves 32, 34 and 38 may now be opened, and theapparatus is ready for use. Water pressure exerted upon the outersurface of the bag will pressurize its liquid contents and force samethrough tubes 26 and 22 into the mixing chamber 36 where, as previouslystated, it will mix with the pressurized water which enters said mixingchamber through line 18.

The foregoing is illustrative of a preferred form of the invention, andit will be understood that this form may be modified and other formsprovided within the broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser, comprismg:

a. a tank connected to a pressurized water source,

b. a collapsible container in said tank containing a liquid other thanwater,

c. a mixing chamber connected to said pressurized water source and saidcollapsible container, and

d. a spray gun connected to said mixing chamber,

e. whereby the water pressure in the tank expresses the liquid from thecollapsible container and causes it to flow into the mixing chamber,where it is mixed with pressurized water and then dispensed through thespray gun,

f. valve means being provided between the pressurized water source andthe tank to regulate the flow of pressurized water into said tank,

g. valve means being provided between the pressurized water source andthe mixing chamber to regulate the flow of pressurized water into saidmixing chamber,

h. valve means being provided between the collapsible container and themixing chamber to regulate the flow of liquid from said collapsiblecontainer into said mixing chamber,

i. valve means being also connected to said tank to relieve the waterpressure therein when the collapsible container is to be replaced orrefilled,

j. said collapsible container comprising a flexible plastic bag havingan open upper end,

k. said tank being also provided with an open upper end,

1. said plastic bag being supported with its open upper end detachablysecured to the open upper end of the tank for removal of said bag fromsaid tank and replacement of another bag therein,

m. the main body of the plastic bag projecting downwardly in said tankand being exposed on its entire outer surface to the pressurized waterin the tank,

n. a closure being provided for the open upper end of the tank, and

o. a discharge line being provided through said closure to connect theplastic bag with the mixing chamber.

2. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser in accordance with claim 6,wherein:

a. an annular rim is provided on the open upper end of the tank,

b. the open upper end of the plastic bag being folded over said annularrim,'and

c. a ring encircling said annular rim and holding the folded upper endof the plastic bag thereon.

3. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser in accordance with claim 6,wherein:

the tank closure is provided with clamping means to secure the openupper end of the plastic bag to the open upper end of the tank.

1. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser, comprising: a. a tankconnected to a pressurized water source, b. a collapsible container insaid tank containing a liquid other than water, c. a mixing chamberconnected to said pressurized water source and said collapsiblecontainer, and d. a spray gun connected to said mixing chamber, e.whereby the water pressure in the tank expresses the liquid from thecollapsible container and causes it to flow into the mixing chamber,where it is mixed with pressurized water and then dispensed through thespray gun, f. valve means being provided between the pressurized watersource and the tank to regulate the flow of pressurized water into saidtank, g. valve means being provided between the pressurized water sourceand the mixing chamber to regulate the flow of pressurized water intosaid mixing chamber, h. valve means being provided between thecollapsible container and the mixing chamber to regulate the flow ofliquid from said collapsible container into said mixing chamber, i.valve means being also connected to said tank to relieve the waterpressure therein when the collapsible container is to be replaced orrefilled, j. said collapsible container comprising a flexible plasticbag having an open upper end, k. said tank being also provided with anopen upper end, l. said plastic bag being supported with its open upperend detachably secured to the open upper end of the tank for removal ofsaid bag from said tank and replacement of another bag therein, m. themain body of the plastic bag projecting downwardly in said tank andbeing exposed on its entire outer surface to the pressurized water inthe tank, n. a closure being provided for the open upper end of thetank, and o. a discharge line being provided through said closure toconnect the plastic bag with the mixing chamber.
 2. A pressurized liquidmixer and dispenser in accordance with claim 6, wherein: a. an annularrim is provided on the open upper end of the tank, b. the open upper endof the plastic bag being folded over said annular rim, and c. a ringencircling said annular rim and holding the folded upper end of theplastic bag thereon.
 3. A pressurized liquid mixer and dispenser inaccordance with claim 6, wherein: the tank closure is provided withclamping means to secure the open upper end of the plastic bag to theopen upper end of the tank.